Jewellery Care Guide

How to Buy Gold Jewellery Online

Gone are those days when you had to spend hours at a jewellery store. And the time it took to go from store to store in search of that perfect piece of gold! Back then, people relied on local jewellers who offered them only limited choices. But now, the Internet has changed the way we shop. Shopping is as simple as pointing and clicking. Online retailers in India and around the world spoil you for choice when it comes to buying jewellery. The prospect of being able to shop from the comforts of your home only adds to the joy of shopping for gold jewellery. Ah! The joys of living in a world of technology!

But wait! Is buying jewellery online as easy and hassle-free as you think? Are there factors you should consider when you make a purchase online? Read on to know more.

A Beginner’s Guide to Online Jewellery Shopping

As obvious as the attraction of gold is the distraction it causes. It can make you overlook important aspects necessary to ensure you are buying it right. Buying gold jewellery online is undoubtedly the easiest way to shop. Or is it? You have a dizzying range of choices, whether it’s in terms of style, quality, and price points. The increasing number of online jewellery retailers is proof of people’s changing buying habits. The wide variety of sellers and the choices can make the experience a liberating one. However, if you don’t know the basics of online jewellery shopping, the experience can be quite confusing. That’s why we give you a rundown of the top tips and tricks for buying gold jewellery online. Keep these golden rules in mind and you will get the best jewellery and the most out of your investment.

Learn the Basic Language of Gold Jewellery

First things first! What is the most important thing to remember while shopping for gold jewellery online? The answer is simple – you should know what you are getting into. This means you must familiarise yourself with the terms and lingo used in jewellery. It would be rather imprudent to buy gold jewellery without even knowing what the term carat means. Likewise, you should also know what qualities you are looking for in your jewellery. Are you planning to buy diamond-studded gold jewellery from an online jeweller? Then it is mandatory that you learn about the four Cs, namely clarity, carat, cut, and colour.

Choose a Trusted, Reliable Online Retailer

There is no dearth of online jewellers, so how do you zero down on one? Here comes a crucial factor in online buying, namely trust. Do your research to choose a seller for buying gold jewellery online. Checking the authenticity of the online seller or retailer can save you a lot of money. Most good retailers are usually old-timers. They have years of experience to vouch for them. And they are favoured by previous customers. To establish trust in an online retailer, you can look for reviews from genuine buyers. Before you even start browsing through a product catalogue, ask yourself if you trust the seller.

Understand the Standard of Purity of Gold

The purity of gold in any piece of gold jewellery determines the major portion of the price you will pay for it. Carat is the measure of gold purity and the purest form of gold is 24 carat. You will hardly find jewellery made with 24kt gold as it’s too soft to mould. The most common purities used to make gold jewellery are 22kt and 18kt. If a piece of jewellery is made of 22kt gold, it contains 91.67 % pure gold. The term 18kt gold implies 75 % pure gold with 25 % impurities in the form of other metals. With a sound understanding of the purity standards, you can make better decisions. Plain gold ornaments are typically made of 22kt gold. Jewellers use 18kt and 14kt gold to make stone-studded gold jewellery such as diamond earrings, rings, necklaces, etc.

Know Your Size

Imagine that you are buying gold rings or bangles. When you go to an offline store, you can wear the piece and see if it fits. This, however, is not possible when you buy jewellery online. So it’s important that you know the size of your finger or wrists. All good online stores offer a size chart against which you can find out your size. Likewise, when you buy earrings online, keep the shape of your face in mind. And choose a pair that best suits your face. Some of the leading jewellers also offer the Home Trial option, so you can try a piece on before you make the purchase. So, here is another thing to consider – look for a seller with home trial option.

Look for Hallmarks and Certification

A hallmark on any piece of gold jewellery is the promise of the purity of the metal. Whenever you buy jewellery and wherever you are buying it from, always look for a hallmark certification. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards or BIS is the official agency that certifies gold quality and purity. Along with the BIS hallmark, you should also look for features such:

The purity code

The year of marking

The testing centre's mark, and

The jeweller's mark.

Keep a Lookout for Deals to Save Money

Guess what makes online shopping so attractive to consumers other than the convenience? Yes, the number of discount deals retailers offer from time to time. Typically, you can expect jewellers to run such offers before and during some of the most important festivals. Diwali, Ramadan or Christmas, you are sure to come across great deals on great collections. Compare different trusted online jewellery retailers while looking for discounts. But don’t let deals and discounts become the only deciding factors for buying jewellery from a particular website. Attractive deals can lure and distract you easily. Don’t fall for them without the right due diligence.

Be Aware of the Jeweller’s Refund and Exchange Policy

Have you ever fallen in love with a piece of jewellery the moment you saw it? Well, that was love at first sight and it is great too. However, you need to know the online retailer’s refund policy beforehand. Often, jewellery you see online is not exactly what it looks like when it reaches you. There can also be instances where they don’t meet your expectations. Most jewellers offer a window of a few days to return or exchange the items. However, there are some who don’t offer refunds. Know your options before buying from an online jewellery retailer.

A Final Word

Buying gold jewellery online is a great idea as long as you do your research. Make the best of the tools available to educate yourself about a product or a seller. Review different retailers, their websites, and their products carefully. Understand their terms of sale, exchange, return, and refund before making the purchase. Cross-check the quality claims and gold purity with necessary hallmarks and certifications. Never buy gold jewellery online on an impulse. Always do your homework to enjoy the exquisite world of jewellery at your fingertips, no matter where you are.